High mechanical and heat performance optical cable

Abstract

A high mechanical and heat performance optical cable for aerial or underground applications comprises a dielectric central member, a plurality of polymeric tubes helically arranged around the dielectric central member, a plurality of optical fiber loosely housed in the polymeric tubes and separated from the polymeric tubes by a filling, a binder comprising polymeric tapes helically arranged around the tubes, a peripheral pulling element arranged around the polymeric tubes, a flame resistant external sheath surrounding the peripheral pulling element, and metallic elements helically arranged around the flame resistant external sheath to form an external ring.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A high mechanical and heat performance optical cable for aerial or underground applications, comprising: 
       a dielectric central member;  
       a plurality of polymeric tubes helically arranged around the dielectric central member;  
       a plurality of optical fibers housed in the polymeric tubes and separated from the polymeric tubes by a filling;  
       a binder comprising polymeric tapes helically arranged around the tubes;  
       a peripheral pulling element arranged around the polymeric tubes;  
       a flame resistant external sheath surrounding the peripheral pulling element; and  
       metallic elements helically arranged around the flame resistant external sheath to form an external ring.  
     
     
       2. An optical cable according to claim  1 , wherein the filling comprises a water superabsorbent element. 
     
     
       3. An optical cable according to claim  1 , wherein the binder comprises a heat resistant material. 
     
     
       4. An optical cable according to claim  1 , wherein the binder comprises a polyaramide tape. 
     
     
       5. An optical cable according to claim  1 , wherein the binder comprises a fiberglass tape.